VPS Getting Started
This guide will walk you through the essential first steps after purchasing a new VPS:
Jump to a Section:
- Accessing Your VPS
- First Time Setup
- Private Name Servers
- Bonuses
- Troubleshooting a VPS
- Additional Resources
Accessing Your VPS
Resellers may already be familiar with setting up private name servers, but if you are hosting on a VPS, it is the only way to create name servers for your new hosting package. Before your name servers are created, you will have to use your IP address to access the server with the following URLs:
For KVM VPS Accounts (VPS Accounts purchased after April 13, 2021)
| WHM: |
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| cPanel: |
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For Legacy VPS Accounts (VPS Accounts purchased before April 13, 2021)
| WHM: |
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| cPanel: |
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| VZ Panel: |
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Using this URL format, you'll be able to access WHM with the IP address provided in the email with your server details using the user root and the password from the email. Once you've followed the rest of the steps in this article, you'll be able to use your domain name instead of your IP address.
We have created a video tutorial on how to log in to WHM. The video applies to KVM and Legacy VPS accounts.
First Time Setup
For KVM VPS
There's nothing to set up. Easy peasy! Our new VPS platform is a Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM). It is a more modern, open-source virtualization technology already built into Linux.
For Legacy VPS
After you log into your VPS for the first time, there are a few setup options you may wish to configure. This will entail becoming familiar with the Virtuozzo power panel and performing the initial setup of WHM and cPanel.
These guides will walk you step by step through learning about the tools you have access to and configuring them to work for you:
- What is Virtuozzo? What is it used for? - VPS
- What is WHM (Web Host Manager)?
- WHM Initial Setup for VPS
Once you've got your settings correct and can access and make changes to your VPS, you're ready to continue setting up your private name servers ⤵ , which will allow you to access your server via your domain name.
Private Name Servers
By now, you're ready to set up your domain to be able to access your VPS. By setting up private name servers, you'll not only be able to access your VPS with your domain name, but you can then use those name servers for any other domains that need to point to your server without any further setup.
HostGator provides the following article to walk you through setting up private name servers both on your VPS and with step by step instructions for many popular domain registrars:
Once you're done, nothing stops you from using your VPS exactly how you may be used to!
Bonuses
Owning a VPS provided by HostGator comes with a whole list of benefits and extras. Check the article below for a list of services we provide to you for hosting on a VPS:
Troubleshooting a VPS
Some extra troubleshooting steps are available for a VPS, which are not available on other hosting plans. In the case that your container is experiencing performance issues.
Check the Resources Being Used by the Server
For KVM VPS, there are two ways on how to check your server's resources. You need to log in to WHM and navigate to:
- Navigate to WHM and search Service Status at the search function on the left-hand side.
- Navigate to WHM and search Service Status at the search function on the left-hand side..
For Legacy VPS, you can view your server's resources in Virtuozzo. Please click the link below for your reference.
Rebooting a VPS Container
Another troubleshooting step available to a VPS owner that is not available on shared hosting is the ability to reboot the server if the need arises.
There are two ways in rebooting your VPS container:
- Via the Customer Portal
- Via the Web Host Manager
Rebooting a VPS Container via the Customer Portal
- Log in to the Customer Portal.
- Click on the Hosting tab.
- Click Manage underneath the primary domain of the VPS you are going to reboot.
- Under the Server and Info & Settings, click on the Request Server Reboot at the bottom of the page.
- The next page will confirm if the reboot request is for the right domain name. Then click on the Reboot Server button.
Rebooting A VPS Container via the Web Host Manager (WHM)
- Log in to the WHM.
- On the Search function on the left side, search for System Reboot.
There will be two options for system reboot: Forceful and Graceful Server Reboot.
Graceful Reboot- means that all services will be shut down and allowing all current processes to finish before the server reboots.
Forceful Reboot- means that the server reboots immediately.
Occasionally, restarting your container can be helpful for installations or major configurations; however, it is not recommended that container restarts be performed frequently as this can cause more harm than good.
A virtual environment may be started up, restarted, suspended, and shut down like an ordinary computer; accessible operations depend on the state of the virtual environment. For example, a running virtual environment cannot be started for apparent reasons.
To restart your container:
- Login to Virtuozzo. The username and password of Virtuozzo are the same as your VPS.
To access the Virtuozzo Power Panel, go to the following URL:
https://(SERVER_IP_HERE):4643 - On the top bar, click the Restart play button.
- An information alert will be displayed once you request the restart.
- Click Details.
- Note: This will bring up a popup window displaying the progress of your restart request
- Note: This will bring up a popup window displaying the progress of your restart request
- Once the Task Status says Completed, your VPS will be back up and ready to go.
Additional Resources
Since a VPS can be set up to resell hosting to third parties, you can check out the Reseller Startup Guide below. Just keep in mind that this is not recommended for multiple resource-intensive sites, but it can be a great way to try out these settings before committing to a Dedicated Server. This guide, while written for our Reseller accounts, offers many valuable tips to VPS owners as well:
- Reseller Startup Guide (Useful for setting up your VPS too!)
Also, for further recommended reading and additional tips and useful links, check out our VPS hosting guide: